Tries hard, but lacks backing

Sunday’s revelations in the Daily Mail involving Lord Triesman were startling.

At first glance, it sounded an unbelievable story: The head of England’s 2018 bid committee accusing a rival of contemplating the bribery of referees at this summer’s World Cup in exchange for votes to host the tournament in future – Spain and Russia’s football associations being highlighted by Triesman.

And the first thought? No smoke without fire, of course. Why would someone so high profile go on record discussing such possibilities if he hadn’t heard or seen something?

But then the question marks appear. Triesman says he was merely repeating things he had overheard – just wild speculation; nothing in terms of evidence or belief.

Football’s officialdom is never the most open of places, the FA here being a prime example. Even government recommendations have brought little change in modifying what sometimes amounts to an old boys’ club.

Fifa and Uefa are little better – all of which means someone of Triesman’s ilk recounting wild speculation can always be deemed to hold water with some people.

After all, there is usually nothing transparent to prove otherwise.

Opening up, being accountable. That would change things - and we also know that simply won’t happen any time soon, leaving stories like this weekend's always on the table.

Private conversation or not, his comments are clearly in the public interest – why would Lord Triesman contemplate recounting them if he did not feel they were in some way conceivable.

The FA have already issued handbags to the partners of Fifa colleagues hoping it could sway the 2018 auction in their favour – one of many wheels and deals, you assume.

And it won’t change any time soon.

Just like the only thing we’ll see come out of Sunday’s headlines being a weak investigation and a damaged England 2018 bid.

posted on 18 May 2010 23:04 byMichael Bailey - Sportsdesk

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